Check your furnace for leaks, damaged chimney caps after hailstorms

With a 20-degree temperature drop between Wednesday and Thursday, many of us will start turning on the heater soon.

Getting an annual inspection of your furnace doesn’t just drop your utility bill by increasing energy efficiency – it could also prevent carbon monoxide poisoning as well.

It’s an issue that hits close to home for Colorado Springs mother Mandie Hoehne.

“You know you hear these stories about people who’ve had – they’ve not woken up the next day because of some leak, so I just want to make sure that’s not going to happen,” said Hoehne.

Each year, she gets her heating system inspected. She does it for her kids.

“I just feel like every year that when we turn the heat on that we’re safe and so there’s no carbon monoxide poisoning or anything that might be wrong with the furnace,” added Hoehne.

It’s not a good idea to do a DIY inspection. The process is just too complicated.

Furnace World Owner Lisa Coffy can’t stress the importance of these inspections enough.

“As a mom and a woman, the most important thing is keeping your family safe,” said Coffy. “And carbon monoxide is produced every time your furnace fires up and is running. So a tune-up will make sure that, you know, the flame is burning cleanly and all carbon monoxide is going up and out of the chimneys so that you’re not breathing high levels or low levels of carbon monoxide.”

What’s makes this year’s inspection even more important? With our frequent hailstorms this summer, some of those chimney caps that are designed to release carbon monoxide are damaged and aren’t working properly.

“I guess you just never know what’s going to happen with your furnace and it’s good to know that somebody is inspecting it and telling you that it’s safe. It’s a very comforting feeling,” said Hoehne.

All in an effort to keep you and your family safe.

Remember, every carbon monoxide detector has an expiration date. The sensor gets weaker over time. Make sure yours is working well.